StyleCrush: Coco Marie

This week’s StyleCrush is New-Yorker-turned-California-girl Coco Marie! New to the plus-size blogosphere, Coco Marie is a plus-size Instagram model.

The inspiration behind her modeling was all of the fantastic plus-size women that would stop her on the street to ask about her outfits. Realizing the lack of representation and access, Coco Marie set out to blog her looks for others. Her signature jaw-dropping, self-described “City Glam” look can be found via Coco’s Curvy Closet.

CM: This is so new to me. I just started instagram blogging approximately four months ago! It’s been such a positive experience so far; the women in the plus size community have been so welcoming and sweet! What inspired it? I am always stopped in public by girls who are my size asking me where my outfits are from, so one day I said to myself it can’t hurt to share these outfits — I love when women help women! So for me, why not flaunt what beautiful curves we have and share our fabulous style finds with each other, all while inspiring younger women to accept their bodies and understand we all can and will not look like the supermodels we’ve seen on covers all our lives.

WYV: How do you describe your personal style?

CM: I would say its very “City Glam.” I love heels, bold pops of colors, curve-hugging outfits and layering with bold prints. It’s important for me to feel comfortable yet chic!

CM: My mother! From as long as I can remember, that woman has never left the house without looking polished and sophisticated from top to bottom. Her look was always flawless and attention-grabbing, yet very appropriate. She always taught me to be my best version of myself and make sure to show the world that best version of myself — no matter what kind of mood I was in! Sure enough, whenever I am sad or in a funk, if I get dolled up, it’s like putting a superwoman cape on, and voila! I feel invincible!

CM: I want women of all shapes to embrace their bodies and their curves! It’s not about the size of our measurements, but our confidence and how we express our unique beauty! I love wearing items my slender friends wear and portraying that both bodies can wear the same item and STILL be gorgeous! The media can spread this message by continuing to explore the plus and body-positive realm. Interviews like THIS ONE are so helpful in giving us a voice when we otherwise will feel unheard in mainstream media. I also think more plus representation in film/TV will help instill inclusivity for younger girls growing up heavier who don’t know where or how they fit in yet and let them know everything is OK, you’re normal and the world loves you as you are.

CM: Beyonce. Sheesh, that woman is a curvy goddess! I love her elegant yet envelope-pushing wardrobe! Jennifer Lopez, because, well, she can make the simplest outfit pop with a great pair of hoops, heels or wild hair — and it always comes off effortlessly! Lastly, Ashley Graham, a woman who’s taken so many risks and pushed through so many barriers in the modeling industry — she is gorgeous, inside and out. Her style is quite similar to mine, and I often look to her for style inspo and new looks!

WYV: Which stores/brands/designers are your faves?

CM: I love Monif C, Rebdolls, Asos, Torrid, Eloquii, Rachel Roy, Jibri. Each of these brands always offers a full range in sizing for their consumer. That is huge for me, as it does not leave anyone out! Some plus-size brands stop sizing after 18 to 22, and that just isn’t right to me. These brands also pair edgy pieces with glam pieces and it’s easy for me to create a look that works for me within my desired budget.

WYV: Which big-name designers would you like to see move into the plus-size market?

CM: I would love to see high-end fashion explore the plus-size world more! I am in love with Balmain, but can definitely not fit into any of their current sizes. If they introduced a plus line, I would be in curvy girl HEAVEN!

WYV: How do you wear your voice?

CM: I wear my voice by wearing what I love and what I feel my best in! It’s hard sometimes to ignore those people who judge us based on our size/bodies, but it’s important to wear our inner confidence with our fabulous outfits, regardless of what others think. Wearing your personal style and feeling good in it will always shine through in the end. My voice is portrayed differently depending on the day, weather, mood and setting I am in — but it always carries the same message: be you, know you’re beautiful and keep strutting, honey!

Laurel Dickman is an intersectional feminist, plus size model, stylist, and fat activist that can also be found via her blogs, Exile In Dietville and 2 Broke Bitches. She grew up in the south between Florida and North Carolina, migrating to the Portland, OR in 2005. All three places inform her perspective of the world around her a great deal. While in Portland, she worked with the Alley 33 Annual Fashion Show, PudgePDX, PDX Fatshion, Plumplandia, and numerous other projects over the near decade that she was there. In August of 2014, she moved to the Bay area with her partner, David and trusty kitty, Dorian Gray. She continues her body positive and intersectional feminism through various forms of activism, fashion, photography projects, and writing from her home in the East Bay. She can be reached at laurel@wyvmag.com and encourages readers to reach out to her to collaborate!